Monday, February 27, 2012

Saying Goodbye..

I know, I haven't blogged in a while.. Okay, it's been more than a while, it's been forever, but there has been a lot personally going on that I have wanted to blog about but didn't know how to put it in words. I still don't really know how to put it into words, but I'm going to try.

On February 11, 2012, my Grammie turned 90 years old. Growing up, she was my 2nd mommy. As far as I can remember, she has always been there. We live in Colorado with her, she moved back down to Texas with us and we have been inseparable every since. She spoiled Bryan and I more than probably necessary. Teehee.. I remember one specific time (and my mom and dad won't let me forget it, either) that I was told that I COULD NOT have a Baby Ut-Oh.. Back then, in the early 90s, it was the hottest toy and $40+! **Hey that was a lot 20 years ago!!** Well, Grammie wasn't having any part of me not having what I wanted. She went to K-Mart **before the bankruptcy, haha** and bought me one and said that I could play with it at her house and we would put it up before Mama and Daddy got there to pick me up each time. I had that baby for 3-4 months; it was the greatest baby in the world! We would go to K-Mart and get her clothes, diapers, extra food, everything. I was the happiest little girl until one day.... I was at Grammie's spending the night, like I spent most of my weekends, and, of course, I was playing with my baby. Well, all as good until Mama and Daddy came to pick me up EARLY! UT-OH!! They walked into Grammie's house and I couldn't hide that baby fast enough. They were LIVID and Grammie sat there on the couch like, "I didn't know she couldn't have it!" HAHAHAHA.. LOVE HER!

There are other memories that I cherish of her.. She had these silk night gowns that I would sleep in when I went over to her house. They weren't the most comfortable things to sleep in, but they smelled of roses, the smell of my Grammie.

I remember putting on shows with Bryan for her in the spare bedroom. Bryan and I would make pictures and hang them on the wall with thumb tacks and drape sheets and blankets on the walls to make a "stage." We would take her cassette player and record ourselves singing songs to her and play those in our shows. I remember my friends coming to stay the night with her too. I remember one specific night when my friend, Tiffany, came with me to Grammie's. We had went swimming and came back and said we wanted ice cream. Of course, Grammie didn't bat an eye and said to load up and we would get some. She also didn't bat an eye to the way we were dressed. We had decided that it would be funny to go to Albertsons, Grammie's favorite grocery store next to Tom Thumb, in over sized shirts and panties, THAT'S IT! Grammie thought it was hilarious! Now, looking back, she should have spanked our butts for walking out of the house like that, but not Grammie.

I remember her handing over her keys to me at the age of 15 the day I got my learner's permit. She let me drive that Crown Victoria everywhere. There was a time when I hugged the right curb, I know it's hard to believe because I'm such an awesome driver now. On this one instance, we were driving down Broadway in Garland and we had just taken a turn and I was headed for the curb. At first, she just calmly said, "Curb, April." When I didn't listen, it was "CURB, APRIL!" and when I finally hit the curb, it was, "Damn it, April, curb!" Haha.. She still handed over the keys every time we went somewhere. Teehee

Other things I remember are her coming to have lunch with Bryan and I 2-3 times a week and buying the whole table ice cream sandwiches, co-signing on my first car purchase, being there on my wedding day, holding my first child in the delivery room, and calling me "April Love." There was no doubt that my Grammie loved me, and if there were any I have the cards that she sent to me every month until I was 3 years old telling me!!

She taught me that french fries are good dipped in honey, to love my family "dearly", and how to sing to the top of my lungs. She told me stories about her Gold Mustang, many parties with important people, and raising my dad in foreign countries. He laughed A LOT and told me she loved me every opportunity she got. She was a beauty in her younger years and older. She was my childhood and a big part of my adulthood. She was there when I took my first steps, started my first day of Kindergarten, graduated High School, walked down the isle, and had all 3 of my babies. Grammie was as close to perfect when it came to being a grandmother.

I sit her with tears rolling down my face writing these memories down, not so I won't forget them, because I NEVER will, but to let know know how truly missed she is going to be. I have had to say good-bye to Grammie 2 times now. The first time was the first time I walked into her nursing home room and she didn't know who I was anymore. She had Alzheimer and forgot who I was about 3 years ago. She still knew she loved me, but couldn't remember my name. The other time was February 17th, 2012. Standing in the room with Mama, Daddy, and Bryan, she took her last breath and entered into heaven's gates. It is bitter sweet. I know that she is dancing a "jig" up there in heaven, singing and praising our Lord and Savior, but it hurts to know that Grammie is no longer here.

The service was the most beautiful service I have EVER been too, and standing in the viewing room, it smelt of roses, MY Grammie. In planning everything, we found out that she wanted to be buried in a night gown and robe, pink, of course. She also had specific songs that she wanted sang and had always told Bryan she wanted him to sing "How Great Thou Art," so he did. Everything was perfect, even the way she looked. The lady that did her makeup took 20 years off of her and the "iced pink" lip stick, I found at Wal-Mart, was the icing on top. Bryan also wrote a poem for her that we included in the program.

My days are all behind me
I've passed through Heaven's gates
This is not a time for mourning,
it's a time to celebrate.

I loved my family dearly
that means each one of you
I want you to rejoice with me
I don't want you to be blue.

My son, my daughter, my loved ones,
Me Darling' and My Love
I have left you temporarily
and gone to my home above.

Life won't always be easy,
it will have a lot of hurdles
Just put the past behind you
and set off like a herd of turtles.

It's ok to miss me a little
and never be ashamed to cry
I want you to know that
I've finally reached that Sweet By and By.

I don't feel pain anymore,
I'm all smiles and no frown
Just remember in life what I always said
"Don't let the turkeys get you down"

So remember my life, the times we had
and I hope they make you smile
Remember to trust the Lord with all your heart
and I'll see you in just a short little while.

--Bryan Booth

Thank you to everyone who came to the viewing and/or service and thank you to the ones who kept us in your prayers, we felt every single on of them. If you have a memory of Grammie, please share in the comments. I will finish with some of my favorite pics of her.

**Grammie and my grandfather**

**She loved doing the Hula, even in her old age**

**Grammie preggo with my dad**
 
 **My Dad and Grammie**
***Side note: look how much Braxton looks like my dad!!***

**Grammie and me**

**Grammie and me**

**Grammie holding Emma in the hospital**

**Grammie holding Courtlynn**

**Grammie holding Braxton**

Juanita Louise Booth
"Grammie"
 February 11, 1922 - February 17, 2012

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A mess, oh, a mess, and then the BEAUTY!

I am going to make this posting a short one. You know when you are having "one of those days?" Well, I'm having one.

Last night we had spaghetti and this was the first time that I didn't feed it to Braxton on a spoon. I just dumped it on his tray and away he went.. THIS was the after math.. HOW CUTE IS HE!!!???!!!


Okay, so the other mess.. So, I did our taxed on January 31 and received an email notification that night saying that the IRS had received and accepted my return... **see pic**
**Snap shot of my email**

So, I went onto the Turbo Tax site and the chart said that if it was accepted by Feb 1 before 11:00 am that the return would be there by Feb 8.. **see pic below**


SA-WEET, I thought! I woke up this morning and the $ isn't in the account.. Okay, so I thought I remembered from last year that they did deposits on Fridays so I would wait till this Friday and see if it was there.. Well, I don't know why, but I decided to go to irs.gov and see what was up. THIS is what I saw there..


What the HECK, am I missing something?!?! So, I have no idea when the $ is going to be there, we went and prematurely spent too much money this past weekend, I need to pay for my mission trip, and we NEED a new washer and dryer. UGH! I know God will provide until then, but it's killing me not knowing if it's going to be this weekend or 2 weeks from now! BLAH!

On a much happier note... My girls colored me some pics to cheer me up (and that they did). I took a pic of a pic and thought I would share with you. I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the night and I'll keep you updated on the IRS craziness!



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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Braxton's 1 Year Pics

I have been waiting to get all of his pics back before posting. I have almost all of them back and wanted to share a few of my favorites with you before posting on Facebook! Here are just a few of my favs!





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Date Night, Shopping, & Super Bowl, THAT'S A Weekend!

I know, I know, this is totally late, but I am JUST NOW getting some quiet time to blog! **and it's really not THAT quiet in here right now, but hey, I can't ask for it to be perfect!**

I KNOW you have been DYING to know about my date night with Gregory **if not, PRETEND**.. Here we go.. He came home around 1:00 pm on Friday and we got all packed and ready to go. When my babysitting kiddos left at 3:00 pm we packed up and headed out the door. I was kinda rushing him, telling him I would put the bags in the car and all, but he was insistent on putting them in the car himself. (little did I know, he had a surprise in the car)! We got to Addison around 4:00 and checked into our room. Here are some pics..


Our room was super nice! We got ready and headed to The Melting Pot and enjoyed a 2 hr dinner. The only thing that would have been better about the date  night would have been the last part of dinner. We were sitting in a L shaped booth and I was facing the outside where I could see other tables. There was a mother and son that came in (he looked around 8-9), and they were seated in my view. At first everything was fine, but then the food started coming. He got OUT OF HIS SEAT, stood over the pot and was eating the cheese standing up. Then the meat got there and he was standing over the pot, fanning the smoke, chewing with his mouth full, and talking to the top of his lungs. When they took that away and they were waiting on their chocolate, he decided that he was going to CRAWL UNDER THE TABLE, swing on the booth, go to other peoples' tables and stare, and run around. The chocolate came and he almost touched the pot and the waiter had to say something to him. COME ON NOW! If I was his mother, there would be NO WAY he would be acting like that. It was so crazy. I didn't let that ruin our nice night though! 

We left The Melting Pot and went back to the hotel, got in the hot tube, got too hot (haha), cooled off on the bed (while on Facebook) and hit the hay. We were in bed and asleep by 10:00! GREAT DATE NIGHT!

Saturday morning, we woke up and had breakfast, waffles, sausage and eggs, at the hotel and then headed into Wylie to pick up Emma from my mom and dad's house and then on into Lavon. We decided that we would head out to Firewheel and do some shopping and get the girls' hair cut. They had it cut at Sweet and Sassy and LOVED every minute of it. **Emma wants to have her b-day party there**

**The girls with their sparkle stars on their face, hair cut, and sparkles in their hair. They felt like princesses**

We did get a little shopping done also. I got a DRESS at Target **I've owned 2 dresses since I got married, my wedding dress and a maternity dress. THIS IS A BIG DEAL!!** Then we went to Old Navy and I got some leggings. We went to Lane Bryant and I found 2 pair of boots. I can NEVER find boots that fit me. Ask Greg, I have been looking for the past 6 years for A pair of boots and I found TWO pair on Saturday. I got them both. One pair is grey, knee high boots and the other pair are black and come a little above my ankle. You know how I LOVE a good deal, so here is the run down on them!! Boot #1 regular $79.99, marked down to $49.99 and then was 1/2 off the marked down price!! Boot #2, regular $49.99, marked down to $29.99 and then 1/2 off the marked down price!!! Total should have been $130 and I paid $40!!! Can I get a WOOHOO!!

**Old Navy**

So, while at Old Navy, I was in the dressing room. Have you ever noticed that they don't have the 12 in open space at the bottoms of their doors? Neither had I! Let me just tell you.. When you are in there and you go to open the door to show your awesome husband that is patiently waiting on you to show him SOMETHING that you have tried on after being in there for the last 30 min with out even a pop out of your head, make sure you MOVE YOUR TOES!! I didn't!!!! This is what happens!!

**This was later that night. The next morning it was pretty blue!**
**Oh, and don't judge my nasty looking toe nails! It's winter, I haven't had a pedi!!**

Sunday, we went to church, then to lunch at Olive Garden, and then wasted some time at Collin Creek Mall. I hadn't been there in FOREVER, so it sounded like something to do to waste some time before heading back to Wylie. I have no idea how long this store has been open or why I had never heard of it, but there is a store in CCM that has $1 accessories!! Okay, I know you are thinking CHEAP! You got that right. Who cares if it breaks, and with 3 little ones that is most likely going to happen, or you lose it! It was only $1!!! I got me 4 necklaces, 2- 3 count bangle bracelets, Emma and Courtlynn both a head band, and both girls a necklace, bracelet, earring combo all for $10.83!!! LOVE!!!


**Emma's new headband and necklace**

After messing around at the mall, we headed back into Wylie to our good friends, Gena and Derek Clifton's house. They had our entire Sunday School class over for a Super Bowl party. It was so much fun and I can't wait to do it again next year!

Well, if you know us and you know the Rose family, you know we LOVE Yogurt Cup **a yogurt place in Wylie**. The Rose family was at the Super Bowl party also so we all decided that when we left we would head over to YC (as we call it) and have us a little treat.. YUMMY!

Monday, it was back to work for Gregory, and back to the "real world" for me. I got to cleaning the house, laundry, dishes, picking up, I had to call Thirty-One home office again and get some things straightened out for some customers, of course had to Castleville **darn you Brenda**, along with watching 5 children under 5! Busy Busy day. 

I did get a couple of charts made up that I have been waiting to do. The girls have really been on a bad behavior spree here lately. I wanted to make them a behavior chart and see how that worked for them. Here is what I came up with.. 

**BTW, Mama, if you are reading this, I have used you as a reward!! teehee**

Also, I want to start teaching the girls about helping out around the house and about giving, saving, and spending. I was not taught growing up how to give and save **I was good at the spending part.. haha** So, I made the girls a "chore chart" and figured I would give Emma $4 at the end of the week if she does all of her chores and Courtlynn $2 for the same (their ages). I'm going to be making up 3 jars for them here in the next few days that are going to say "Give", "Save" and "Mine". They are going to have to do their tithing and mission giving (25%) and they are going to have to save 25% and then they can do whatever with the other. I hope this is a good learning experience for them and also help them feel like they are contributing to the house hold! Here are the charts I came up with..

**I made these so they would fit into an 8x10 picture frame. We are going to use dry erase markers to mark off as they do each chore. So far, so good**

Last, but not least, if you look at the end of each one of my posts, now, there is a "Pin It" button. If you click that, it will allow you to pin any of my posts! SWEET! 

**This is what it looks like**

If you don't know what pinning is, shame on you and you need to contact me ASAP!!

So, that's it for today. I'm going to post another post later with my summary of The Bachelor. I hope each one of you had a WONDERFUL weekend. I'm going to leave you with the picture of my new hair, as promised!



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